Clay gun



Aug. 19, 1941. A, F. GIEsE, JR

CLAY GUN Filed May 24, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. F. Gli-:$15, JR 2,252,712

CLAY GUN Filed May 24, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 19, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLAY GUN August F. Giese, Jr., Gary, Ind.

Application May 24, 1940, Serial No. 336,893

(Cl. 26S-42) 3 Claims.

My invention relates to clay gun structures adapted particularly for plugging up tapping holes of blast furnaces to shut off the flow of molten metal therefrom after the furnace is through with a tap.

Clay gun structures usually comprise a cylinder `for receiving a clay mixture to be discharged, some discharge means as for example a piston operable within the cylinder, power means for operating the discharge means, and a nozzle element extending from the end of the cylinder for directing the discharged clay into the tapping hole.

The important object of my invention is to provide an arrangement in which the cylinder and the driving means are mounted in front of the furnace at one side of the runner trough and with the axis of the cylinder at right angles with the trough, and with an angular nozzle permanently secured to the cylinder end with its free end over the runner trough, together with means for lrotating the cylinder for swing of the nozzle with its discharge end into the trough for discharge of clay therefrom into the tapping hole, or for swing of the nozzle into position above the `runner trough during the casting of metal from the furnace. Such improved structureand arrangement will eliminate objectionable conditions, such as leakage and wear, exposure of the gun :structure to heat and splashing molten metal, .and costly care and repairs.

The various features of my invention are incorporated in the structure shown onthe drawings, in which drawings:

,Figure 1 is a plan view of the gun structure mounted in front of a furnace;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the gun structure with the runner trough shown in section;

Figure 3 is an end elevationof the gun structure with furnace parts shown in section, and showing one arrangement for effecting rotation of the cylinder for swing of the nozzle into discharging position or idle position; and

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the power end of the gun showing a modied arrangement.

On the drawings I indicates a furnace having the tap hole II, and I2 indicates the runner trough communicating with the tap hole, I3 indicating the usual columns around the furnace for support thereof.

The gun structure comprises a cylinder I4 in which a piston I5 is operable. An intermediate member IB in axial alignment with the cylinder provides the head I'I for the cylinder and a guide bearing for the piston rod or shaft I8, the member I6 being detachably secured to the cylinder as by means of bolts I9. At its `outer end intermediate member IB has the flange 20 to which is secured the ange 2I of an annular bearing hub 22 which is journaled in a supporting bearing structure 23. A bearing structure 24 journals the outer end of the cylinder I4 between aligning flanges or collars 25 on the cylinder. 'Ihe cylinder portion with the intermediate member I6 secured thereto is thus journaled for rotational movement. The bearing structures are suitably mounted on the floor 26 with the bearing structure 24 adjacent to the edge of the runner trough, the axis of the cylinder being at right angles with the runner trough.

The bent or angular nozzle N is rigidly secured to the discharge end of the cylinder I4 and may be integral therewith. The inlet part 2l of the nozzle is co-axial with the cylinder and the part 21' is in the vertical plane of the axis of the tapping hole and is bent so that the conical discharge end 28 may properly direct clay into the tapping hole. The cylinder is close to the floor 26 and when the tap hole is to be plugged, the cylinder is rotated to swing the nozzle from its idle position above the floor line (dotted lines Figure 3) to its discharging position with its end 28 in the runner trough at the mouth of the tap hole (full lines Figures l, 2, and 3) Suitable means may be provided for controlling the rotation of the cylinder and setting of the nozzle. As shown on Figure 3 a power cylinder 29 is provided in which a piston 30 travels and has the piston rod 3l extending from its ends through the heads 32 and 33 of the cylinder.

The power medium may be air or fluid connected` with `the cylinder through piping 34 under suitable control mechanisms such as valves (not shown). The piston rod is interposed in a belt 35 traveling around pulleys 36 and 31, and belting 38 connects the pulley 3 with a sheave 39 on the intermediate member I 6 secured to the cylinder. Thus by controlled application of power medium to the `cylinder 29 the piston 30 therein `is moved in one direction or the other for rotating the cylinder structure for swing of the nozzle into its discharging position, or into its idle posiion.

Referring to Figures l and 2, a supporting base 40 is mounted on the fioor 26 adjacent to the bearing structure 23, this base supporting a housing part 4I to which the 4other housing part 42 is secured to provide a housing and bearing support for the hub 43 of a worm wheel 44. Above this housing is a transverse housing 45 journalof the nozzle.

ing a shaft 46 and enclosing a worm pinion 41 on the shaft 46 and meshing with the worm wheel 44. The housing part 42 has brackets 48 extending therefrom on which a driving source such as an electric motor 49 is mounted. The motor shaft carries a pinion 5E! meshing with the gear 5| on the shaft 46, so that when the motor is running the worm wheel 43 will be rotated at reduced speed.

The shaft I8 of the piston l5 has threading 52 at its outer end and the worm wheel hub 43 is threaded to receive the shaft i 8 so that when the worm wheel is turned the shaft i9 will be axially l driven for movement of the piston i5 in the cylinder ifi for discharge of clay from the cylinder to and through the nozzle 2l. Suitable means areprovided to hold the shaft l against rotational movement. As shown a spline or key 'is provided in the cylinder for engagement byA a keyway 54 in the piston.

The cylinder. lli has an opening 55. through `which clay may be'charged into the cylinder, this hole. being closed by a suitable cover 55 during .operation ofthe cylinder. When the gun is to be used for a plugging operation, the motor 49 is operated for withdrawal of the piston to the inner 'end of the cylinder and then clay is charged into the cylinder through the opening 55. The power cylinder 29 is then operated for rotation of the gun cylinder and swing of the nozzle down into the runner trough withits end at the tapping holeilyas shown in full lines of Figure 3, and then the motor 49 is operated for shift of the shaft i8 to force the piston l5 towards the outer end of the cylinder I4 for. projection of the clay through the nozzle and into the tapping hole yl l. After the nozzle has been in the tappinghole for a sunicient length of time to permit the soft clay to set, the power cylinder 2S is operated for rotation of the gun cylinder and swing of the nozzle into its idle position as shown by dotted lines on Figure 3.

In thet arrangement'shown in Figures 1 and 2, the driving motor and the transmission gearing is mounted on the stationary base 4B and only the gun cylinder i4 and the intermediate member I6 are rotated for swing of the nozzle. Y

In the modified arrangement shown'on-Figure 4 the stationary supporting base is omitted and the housing part 51 for the worm wheel forms part of the bearing hub 22 which is journaled in the bearing structure 23 and rotates with the intermediate member I6 and the cylinder I4. The other part. 58 for the housing for the worm wheel 'supports the motor 49, and the housings El, 58 support the worm housing 45, so that when the power cylinder 29 is operated, thecyllinoler I4, the intermediate part i5, and the motor and reduction gearing all rotate together for setting To protect'the threading 52 on the gun piston shaft, a tubular housing 59 is provided.`

I have thus provided an improved structure and arrangement which Will permit the gun to be mounted close up to the furnace at one side of Vthe runner trough and with its axis at right angles to the runner trough, in which position the gun will not take up valuable floor space and will be protected against damage by splashing molten metal. he nozzlebeing comparatively short and of gradual bend, and directly connected to the "cylinder end, the clay will be forced through the nozzle with minimum resistance, and

the nozzle can be readilycleaned.

I have shown practical and 'efficient embodiments of the features of my invention but I do not desire to be limited to the exact construction, arrangement and operation shown and described as changes and modifications may be made Without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim as follows: v

1. A clay discharging structure for a blast furnace having a tapping hole and a runner trough extending therefrom, said structure comprising a single cylinder in fron-t of the furnace with its discharge end adjacent to the side of the runner trough and with its axis at right-angles to the runner trough, a bent nozzle having its horizontal Ypart rigidly secured to the discharge end of said cylinder in axial alignment therewith and having its discharge end within the vertical plane of the axis of the furnace tapping hole, an intermediate member providing at its outer end a head for the inner end of said cylinder, an outer bearing mounted on the oor in front of the furnace and directly adjacent to the runner trough for journaling the cylinder at its outer end, an annular bearing mounted on the floor in front of the furnace journaling the inner end in said intermediate member whereby said cylinder together with said intermediate member form a rotatable unit, a piston within said cylinder and a piston shaft extending therefrom through said intermediate member and said inner bearing, an electric motor stationarily mounted adjacent to the inner end of said inner bearing, a driving train between said motor and the inner end of said piston shaft connected to longitudinally recip- Y nace having a tapping hole and a runner trough extending therefrom, said structure comprising a single cylinder located in front of the furnace with its discharge end adjacent to the side of the runner trough and with its axis at right-angles to the runner trough, a bent nozzle having its horizontal part rigidly secured to the discharge end of said cylinder in axial alignment therewith and having its discharge end within the vertical plane of the axis of the furnace tapping hole, an outer bearing mounted on the floor in front of said furnace directly adjacent to the runner trough and journaling the cylinder at its outer end, an intermediate member forming at its outer end an inner head for said cylinder, an annular inner bearing receiving and journaling the inner end of said intermediate member, a piston in said cylinder and a shaft extending therefrom through said intermediate member and said inner bearing, means holding said piston and shaft against rotational movement, the inner end.V of said piston shaft being threaded, a housing stationarily mounted on the oor in front of the furnace and adjacent to the inner end of said inner bearing, a worm gear within said housing threaded to receive the threaded end of said piston shaft, an electric motor mounted on said housing, a driving gear train extending between said motor and said worm wheel whereby said motor will effect longitudinal movement of said piston shaft and piston for discharge of clay from the cylinder through said nozzle and into the furnace tapping hole, and driving means connected with said intermediate member for rotation of said member and cylinder for swinging of the discharge end of said nozzle into the runner trough in clay discharging position or for swing of the discharge end of the nozzle away from the tapu ping hole and above the runner trough.

3. A clay discharging structure for a blast furnace having a tapping hole and a runner trough extending therefrom, said structure comprising only a single cylinder which is located in front of the furnace with its discharge end ad- `iacent to the side of the runner trough and with its axis at right-angles to the runner trough, a bent nozzle having its horizontal part rigidly secured to the discharge end of said cylinder in axial alignment therewith and having its discharge end within the vertical plane of the axis of the furnace tapping hole, an outer bearing mounted on the floor in front of the furnace directly adjacent to the runner trough for journaling the cylinder at its outer end, an interme- Cil date member providing at its outer end a head for the inner end of said cylinder, an inner bearing receiving and journaling the inner end of said intermediate member whereby said cylinder and intermediate member form a unit rotatable in said bearings, for locating said nozzle relative to the furnace tap hole, a piston in said cylinder and a shaft extending therefrom through said intermediate member, and driving means stationarly mounted on the fioor adjacent to the inner end of said inner bearing and having driving connection with said shaft to eiiect reciprocam tion of said piston for discharge of clay from the cylinder to said nozzle, and driving means coacting with said intermediate member for rotating said unit for swing of the nozzle for discharge of clay into the furnace tapping hole or for swing of the nozzle into position out of and above the runner trough.

AUGUST F. GIESE, Ja. 

